She was the maternal granddaughter of Dr. José Francisco Netto (1827–1886), who was granted the title of Baron of Coromandel by Dom Pedro II in recognition of the medical services he provided during a smallpox outbreak that struck the state. On the family farm, they produced milk and cachaça (a traditional Brazilian sugarcane spirit). At the manor house, and later at the Immaculate Conception College in Barbacena, she learned to read and write, dance, sing, play the guitar, embroider, and sew.

On 22 February 1930, at the age of 27, she married Jacob Nogueira da Silveira in Rio Espera. A trained dentist, Jacob devoted himself to business and public service, working as both a merchant and a city councilman. Together they had three sons—Aloísio, José, and Geraldo—and adopted a daughter, Nazinha. In the late 1950s, after Jacob accepted an invitation from a friend to work in São Paulo, Josefina left Minas Gerais with her family. The couple and their four children settled in the city of São Paulo. Jacob died in 1982.

She passed away in Mooca District, São Paulo, São Paulo, on 24 March 2015, two days after her 113th birthday.

Luis Cano: America’s Oldest Man

Linden, New Jersey, United States – At 111 years old, Luis Cano is the oldest known living man in the United States. The Colombian-born supercentenarian is also the 12^th oldest man globally. His age was validated by LongeviQuest in December 2025. This weekend, we visited the home of America’s oldest man to celebrate his distinction.

Born in 1914 in the mountainous Colombian countryside, Mr. Cano spent much of his early life engaged in rigorous physical activity. Lacking a formal education, he joined the Colombian Army in 1937. He promptly earned a reputation as a crack shot, ranking second in target-shooting practice among his battalion. (When asked this Saturday if he could still shoot well at age 111, he confidently said yes.) After serving in the military, he owned and operated a fleet of buses shuttling passengers between underserved rural villages. As a business owner, he became proficient enough at math to perform all calculations mentally.

Luis Cano after regaling his family with traditional Colombian poetry.

Growing up, Mr. Cano was one of ten children. He and his wife Alicia went on to have ten children of their own. They moved to the United States in 1990 and today, much of his family is scattered across the New York metro area. Together, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in-laws keep his days active and engaging. His granddaughter, Leidy Gomez, makes the roughly hourlong drive to see him every week or two, often taking her grandfather on long car rides around town. “Seeing him enjoy the ride makes me so happy,” says Ms. Gomez.

Aside from his family in the United States, Mr. Cano also counts descendants in his home country of Colombia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. He keeps up with most of them using Facetime and was recently excited by the births of his first two great-great-grandchildren. It is clear Mr. Cano loves his family, and his happiness was evident when members of his local family gathered together this past Saturday to celebrate his status as America’s oldest man.

At first glance, the city of Linden, New Jersey seems an unlikely place to associate with longevity. An industrial inner suburb of New York City, the cityscape is full of refineries, highways, and rows upon rows of houses. Along one of its busy streets, from a house just off the road, Mr. Cano spends much of each day observing the passersby and ongoings of his community. His family lovingly refers to him as a chismoso (Spanish for “gossip”) as he frequently reports what he sees to his family members in the house.

Despite Linden’s gritty exterior, the local community warmly celebrates their oldest resident. His family reports that passersby frequently honk or wave when they see the “Happy Birthday” signs outside of his home, always accompanied by his three-digit age. Most notably, Mr. Cano has been frequently visited by the city’s leader, Mayor Derek Armstead. On this day, Mayor Armstead brought a newly issued proclamation honoring Mr. Cano which recounted his life in admiring detail. The mayor took his time catching up with Mr. Cano and his family, mere hours before the arrival of an impending snowstorm.

Luis Cano, America’s oldest man, with his daughter Damaris and Linden, NJ Mayor Derek Armstead holding city proclamation and LongeviQuest trophy.

Mr. Cano’s longevity advice is practical: he swears by healthy, all natural food, especially avocado. He also advocates a healthy lifestyle. He never smoked or drank alcohol, and maintained a high level of physical activity well into his centenarian years. Prior to contracting the coronavirus in 2020, Mr. Cano would spend most summer days tending to his garden. His family showed us video of him at 104 rebuffing his son’s pleas to rest, angrily slamming his rake into the dirt as if to make a point about his vitality. Even now, Mr. Cano is awake and alert most of the day, though he does enjoy a regular siesta.

Surrounded by his family, honored by his city’s mayor, comfortably seated on his favorite recliner overlooking the street, it’s easy to see that Luis Cano is a happy man. We wish him years of continued health and happiness, and we thank him and his family for their generous hospitality.

Luis Cano, America’s oldest known living man, holding his LongeviQuest trophy.

Linden, New Jersey Mayor Derek Armstead honoring Luis Cano, America’s oldest man, with a proclamation.

Masami Miyanoo (宮野尾 正三), 110, of Nagano, Japan: Her Long Life and Daily Routines

Masami Miyanoo (Japanese: 宮野尾 正三), a resident of Ogawa Village, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is currently 110 years old, and one of the oldest living residents in the Prefecture.

LongeviQuest had the opportunity to conduct an interview with the family of Masami Miyanoo—through the nursing home where she currently lives.

Early Life

She was born on 12 January 1915 in Shinmachi, an area that later became part of Shinshu-Shinmachi, now within Nagano City. As a student, she enjoyed her classes and once hoped to become a schoolteacher. At the age of 20, she married into a farming household in Ogawa Village, where life followed the rhythm of the fields and the seasons. Her husband’s family managed many rice paddies and occasionally hired extra help during busy periods. Miyanoo worked alongside them as part of the daily routine.

Her husband died during the war at the age of 39. After his passing, she raised her two children while living with her parents-in-law and sisters-in-law. She later recalled those years as difficult. Her family describes her as someone who quietly endured what came her way.

Later Life

Fieldwork remained part of her life for many years. Even close to 100, she was still seen pulling weeds or tending small patches of land, moving in the way she always had.

At home, she enjoyed knitting and often learned new patterns quickly, making items for her family. She also read the newspaper regularly, keeping an interest in daily events well into her later years.

Hyakunin Isshu, a traditional Japanese poetry card game, was another part of her life. She once told her family she sometimes won against older players when she was young. In later years, she could sometimes be seen enjoying card-taking games with her grandchildren, responding with the quick attention the game requires.

She had few particular dislikes in food, although she rarely drank milk because the family kept cows.

Miyanoo moved into a nursing home in November 2020. For some time after moving in, she could walk with assistance and manage certain tasks on her own. She continues to express words of gratitude to the staff, who describe her as calm, gentle, and thoughtful in the way she speaks.

Learning and Longevity

When speaking with many supercentenarians and their families, there are moments when someone mentions how much they enjoyed studying as a child. It is not something everyone says, but it comes up often enough to stay in mind. Miyanoo is one of those people. She enjoyed studying from a young age, and that early interest seems to echo in her later habits—reading the newspaper carefully each day and continuing to enjoy Hyakunin Isshu, a game that relies on memory and quick reactions, even at an advanced age.

Looking back over her life, it is marked by steady routines, years of physical work, and a consistent attentiveness to daily life. These patterns, maintained over many decades, may have contributed to her longevity.

Her age is currently under review by Longeviquest.

On 28 January 1932, at the age of 18, he married Floarea Obogeanu, a woman seven years older than him, who was considered comparatively well-off because she owned a small plot of land they could live from. The couple would eventually have six children (three sons and three daughters).

It is believed that Ciocan became Romania’s oldest living man following the passing of Ioan Lascău (25 February 1912 – 15 February 2021).

Following the passing of 109-year-old Maria Mihai (5 January 1913 – 2 February 2022), he became the oldest known living person in Romania.

On 30 January 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Japanese veteran Tsuneji Oyama, he became the world’s oldest known living World War II veteran.

On 13 August 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Briton John Farringdon, he became the last surviving European man born in 1913.

On 25 November 2024, after the death of 112-year-old Briton John Tinniswood, Ciocan became the Oldest Living Man in Europe.

On 16 January 2025, at the age of 111 years and 220 days, Ciocan surpassed the final age of Dumitru Comănescu (1908–2020), who lived to 111 years and 219 days, becoming the oldest validated man — and the oldest validated person — in Romanian history. Two Romanian emigrants, Istvánné Fejes and Barbara Poth, however, lived longer. On 12 April 2025, Ciocan surpassed Fejes’s final age, becoming the oldest known person ever born in Romania. In June, he became the first documented Romanian to reach the age of 112.

On 5 October 2025, after the death of 112-year-old Josino Levino Ferreira, Ciocan became the 2nd World Oldest Living Man.

His age was validated by LongeviQuest on 7 November 2025.

As of 17 December 2025, he lives in Bratia din Vale, Galicea, Vâlcea County, Romania.

With his wife.

Aged 109 in September 2022.

Aged 109 in April 2023.

In 2023.

On 28 May 2025. 

Mrs. Tomi Ōno (大野とみ), 112, the Oldest Living Person in Yamanashi, Japan

LongeviQuest had the opportunity to speak with the family of Tomi Ōno (大野とみ), a 112-year-old resident of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Through their stories, we learned about her resilience in later life and her peaceful days in her hometown of Tsuru.

Early Life and Wartime Years

Tomi Ōno (Japanese: 大野とみ) was born in Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture, on 24 February 1913, as one of eight siblings. She spent many years living in Tokyo, including during her marriage. During World War II, she and her husband remained at their home in Shinagawa rather than evacuating. The Nishi-Oi area of Shinagawa Ward, where she lived, fortunately escaped major damage during the Tokyo air raids, and she was able to survive the war.

In her 70s, she began sharing her wartime experiences as a storyteller, contributing to her community by passing her memories on to younger generations.

Tomi Ōno, age 93, on Setsubun Day.

Return to Her Hometown of Tsuru and Improved Health

After her husband’s death, Ōno continued to live alone in Tokyo until the age of 87. When her health significantly deteriorated, she returned to her hometown of Tsuru and began living with her nephew and his wife.

Although she had not paid much attention to her meals when living alone—often keeping them simple for convenience—her condition noticeably improved after returning to Yamanashi, thanks to the balanced meals prepared by her nephew’s wife and the natural environment of Tsuru.

As seen among other supercentenarians in Japan, she tended to avoid foods that didn’t suit her taste—a reflection of her strong will and independent nature. According to her family, she generally ate what was served to her and especially enjoyed eel.

Her family describes her as someone who enjoys calligraphy and painting and has always been skilled at sewing. Even after turning 100, she often made clothes by hand using simple, familiar materials, always cherishing the things around her.

Tomi Ōno at age 101, in the garden of her home with seasonal flowers in the background.

Her Later Years

At the age of 103, after a fall that required hospitalization, Ōno decided to move into a nursing home, where she has lived ever since.

In September 2025, she was officially recognized as the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture. On this occasion, the Mayor of Tsuru visited her and presented a congratulatory message from the Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture.

Tomi Ōno, age 112, in September 2025, recognized and celebrated as the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Insights from Her Family

Her family believes that her longevity can be attributed to her strong sense of independence—especially her lifelong belief in not being a burden to others—her inner strength, her honest and free-spirited personality, and the nutritious meals and comfortable environment provided by the nursing home where she spends her later years.

Lessons from Her Long and Healthy Life

Through conversations with her family, we learned that Ms. Ōno shares several characteristics often seen among Japan’s longest-lived individuals.

• She has a strong will and expresses her thoughts honestly, always acting according to her beliefs.

• Even after turning 100, she continued to engage enthusiastically in creative activities such as sewing and painting, keeping both her hands and mind active.

• She has maintained a disciplined attitude and a strong sense of self-control, striving not to burden her family or others.

• Like many other Japanese supercentenarians, she tends to avoid foods that do not suit her taste.

Although she experienced a serious decline in her health in her late 80s, she regained her strength thanks to the warm support of her family and the rich natural environment of Yamanashi Prefecture. She is now recognized as the oldest living person in the prefecture and lives peacefully at a nursing home in Tsuru, where she receives attentive care.

With her family at their home in Tsuru, surrounded by the natural beauty of the area.

Her mother lived to be 97, and her three brothers all passed away in their mid-90s. Her father died at 79. Her younger sister was 102 as of July 2019.

At the age of 107, she received a significant amount of national media coverage for her claim how not getting married played a part in her longevity.

At 108.

Aged 109 in February 2022, after being vaccinated against Covid-19.

At 110.

At 111.

At 112.

As of 29 July 2025, she lives in the municipality of São Brás de Alportel, Faro District, Portugal.

On her 105th birthday in 2017.

On her 106th birthday in 2018.

On her 107th birthday in 2019.

On her 108th birthday in 2020.

On her 109th birthday in 2021.

On her 110th birthday in 2022.

On her 110th birthday - tv report.

On her 111th birthday - tv report in 2023.